What drives an artist? How about a musician? Those are questions without simple answers, but for Andrew Bird, the drive to evolve and constantly challenge himself seems essential to what makes him tick. Most musicians write down their progressions and chords. Notes for future reference so they can replicate songs, riffs, and more. Bird doesn’t. Instead he relies on his ability to recreate the mindset and situation of a song and find the notes again. However, he isn’t afraid of it changing and becoming something else. He enjoys the pursuit, what he calls “chasing ghosts”. In Xan Aranda‘s Andrew Bird: Fever Year, we get a glimpse behind the curtain and the wonderful pursuit of ghosts.

For those unaware of who Andrew Bird is, the documentary makes no bones about introducing you to his music, interesting personality, and unique style. Entire songs from his catalog are played in concert and we get glimpses at songs just forming as well. While he was a one-man band when starting out he decided to put together a full band for live shows and we can see how someone so used to playing by himself has to evolve and mesh with other musicians. That doesn’t mean his signature layered looping left out though—a true highlight to witness through Aranda’s cameras as Andrew blends violin, guitar, string plucking, whistling, and more. As for how the film got its title, while on tour Bird was actually running a mild fever for nearly the entire time.

He pokes fun at it within the film, noting that he was a big sweaty mess for most of the feature. Thankfully Bird’s style fits well with a doc as we learn the reasons behind his unique speakers that are function with style, looking like huge phonographs. We also get a viewpoint of the artist himself, in quiet moments of reflection at his personal farm in Chicago or as he prepares with the band in rehearsals. The camera catches glimpses of him opening up and great care is taken in blending and hopping between times. When Bird talks about how he first started playing in dive bars, we are treated to home video footage of exactly that.

There’s little doubt that Aranda was a key factor in getting the peek behind the curtain, as Bird and her had worked together quite a bit in the past. The benefit and the curse is that while she likely knew what to ask as we only get Andrew’s responses, there is the possibility that she kept it safe as well. Regardless, it’s a peek we likely will never get again of this scope, one of a true talent. Even longtime fans likely will end up with more appreciation while newcomers will come out enthralled. I know that’s exactly what happened to me as I had never even heard of Bird before sitting down for the documentary and bits and moments still pop up in my head throughout the day a full week later.

Andrew Bird almost seems tailor-made for a documentary. His fluid and evolving sound play out wonderfully in a theater while the visuals Aranda captures along with cinematographers Peter Gilbert and Aaron Wickenden showcase the different techniques and methods to Andrew’s madness. His music is inoffensive, folksy, and easy to enjoy. All of these factors combine to make a documentary that captures the essence of an independent artist at the edges of fame marching to his own beat. Sure he has enjoyed success, but that’s the direct result of his uncompromising style and his talent. While only lasting 81 minutes, Andrew Bird: Fever Year is enough to leave you with a lasting impression that won’t soon go away.

Grade: B+

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